Osteospermum plant named ‘DAOSFEMTEN’

ABSTRACT

A new distinct cultivar of  Osteospermum  plant named ‘DAOSFEMTEN’, characterized by its vigorous growth, with globular, upright to spreading shape; very well branching habit (10-15 per plant), with medium strong lateral stems and thick leaves; color of leaves RHS 139A (upper side) and RHS 137B (Underside); ray florets with a unique color combination, pure white (as the white space between the color samples on the RHS colour chart), and violet-blue (RHS 97C) with darker violet-blue stripes (RHS 97A) and stains of yellow (RHS 162C) at the tip, on the underside; and disc florets that appear Violet-Blue (RHS 96A).

Latin name of the genus and species of the claimed plant: Osteospermumecklonis.

Variety denomination: ‘DAOSFEMTEN’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofOsteospermum plant, botanically known as Osteospermum ecklonis (DC) T.Norl., commonly known as Cape Daisy and and hereinafter referred to bythe cultivar name ‘DAOSFEMTEN’.

The new Osteospermum cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Rune Nielsen, in Stige, Denmark. Theobjective of the breeding program is to develop a new Osteospermumcultivar with good garden performance, well branching growth, continuousflowering and an attractive inflorescence color.

The new Osteospermum cultivar originated from a cross made in acontrolled breeding program by the inventor in 2006, in Stige, Denmark.The female or seed parent is Osteospermum cultivar designated ‘CapeDaisy® Zanzibar White’. The male or pollen parent is a creme colouredOsteospermum variety designated 5300A (not patented).

Asexual reproduction of the new Osteospermum cultivar by terminalcuttings was first performed in November, 2007 in Stige, Denmark, andhas demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as hereindisclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivarreproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘DAOSFEMTEN’, which in combinationdistinguish this Osteospermum as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Vigorous cultivar, with globular upright to spreading shape;    -   2. Well branching (10-15 per plant) with medium strong lateral        stems and thick leaves. Color of leaves RHS 139A (upper side)        RHS 137B (Underside);    -   3. Ray florets with a unique color combination, pure white (as        the white space between the colour samples on The RHS colour        chart), and violet-blue (RHS 97C) with darker violet-blue        stripes (RHS 97A) and stains of yellow (RHS 162C) at the tip, on        the underside; and    -   4. Disc florets that appear Violet-Blue (RHS 96A).

Plants of the new Osteospermum ‘DAOSFEMTEN’ differ from plants of theparents, ‘Cape Daisy® Zanzibar® White’ and 5300A (unpatented) in thetraits described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison with Parental Cultivars Female Parent Male Parent NewCultivar ‘Cape Daisy ® 5300A Trait ‘DAOSFEMTEN’ Zanzibar ® White’(unpatented) Plant Size Height: About 14 cm. About 13 cm. About 15 cm.Diameter: About 20 cm. About 18 cm. About 20 cm. Overall Plant globularupright to globular upright to globular upright to Shape spreadingshape. spreading shape. spreading shape. Stem Length: About 2-5 cm.About 2-5 cm. About 4-6 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm. About 4 mm. About 5mm. Strength: Medum strong. Medum strong. Very strong. Color: RHS 145BRHS 146D RHS 144A (yellow-green). (yellow-green). (yellow-green). Numberof About 40. About 20. About 20. Flowers per Plant: Flower Size Depth:About 10 mm. About 10 mm. About 12 mm. Diameter: About 7 cm. About 6 cm.About 8 cm. Mature Petal Pure white Pure white, with a RHS 155C Color(as white as the 2 mm Purple N79B (white). (upper side): space betweenthe and N78C ring colour samples on around the base. the RHS colourchart). Mature Petal RHS 97C (violet- RHS 97C RHS 162A Color blue) withdarker (violet-blue) (greyed-yellow) (underside): stripes RHS 97A withdarker stripes (violet-blue) and RHS N92D stains of (violet-blue). RHS162C (greyed-yellow) at the tip.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to the new Osteospermum ‘DAOSFEMTEN’ is theOsteospermum (‘Cape Daisy® Zanzibar® White’, in the characteristicsdescribed in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Comparison with Comparison Cultivars New Cultivar ‘Cape Daisy ®Trait ‘DAOSFEMTEN’ Zanzibar ® White’ Plant Size Height: About 14 cm.About 13 cm. Diameter: About 20 cm. About 18 cm. Overall Plant Shapeglobular upright to globular upright to spreading shape. spreadingshape. Stem Length: About 2-5 cm. About 2-5 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm.About 4 mm. Strength: Medum strong. Medum strong. Color: RHS 145B(yellow- RHS 146D (yellow-green). green). Number of Flowers About 40.About 20. per Plant: Flower Size Depth: About 10 mm. About 10 mm.Diameter: About 7 cm. About 6 cm. Mature Petal Color Pure white. Purewhite, with a 2 mm (upper side): (As white as the space Purple N79B andN78C between the colour ring around the base. samples on the RHS colourchart). Mature Petal Color RHS 97C (violet-blue) RHS 97C (violet-blue)(underside): with darker stripes RHS with darker stripes RHS 97A(violet-blue) and N92D (violet-blue). stains of RHS 162C (greyed-yellow)at the tip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Osteospermum ‘DAOSFEMTEN’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors inthe photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the color of‘DAOSFEMTEN’.

FIG. 1 shows a close-up view of the composite flower head from‘DAOSFEMTEN’.

FIG. 2 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘DAOSFEMTEN’ in a 11 cm pot, at 12 weeks of age after planting.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical lateral stems with leavesand buds of ‘DAOSFEMTEN’.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of the different leaf sizes of‘DAOSFEMTEN’.

FIG. 5 shows a comparison between ‘Cape Daisy® Zanzibar White’ (femaleparent)', ‘Sunny® Carlos’ and ‘DAOSFEMTEN’ (Breeders reference: 6007A).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Osteospermum ‘DAOSFEMTEN’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar mayvary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe the new Osteospermum‘DAOSFEMTEN’ as grown in a glasshouse, equipped with heat, assimilationlight and ebb/flood watering system in Odense, Denmark, under conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.The plants was grown in 14° C., with a venting temperature on 16° C.Assimilation light was given when natural daylight was below 3000 luxand the day length was extended to 16 hours. The EC levels in the soilwas kept at about 2.5-3.5 and pH around 6.0 during the production. Plantgrowth was regulated 3 times during the production period, using 3‰Cycocel (chlormequat-chloride) as a drench (80-100 ml/pot).

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), Colour Chart 2001 edition, Color values were taken underMarch daylight conditions at approximately 10:00-14:00 in Stige,Denmark. The age of the ‘DAOSFEMTEN’ plants described is 12 weeks frompotting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Osteospermum ecklonis (DC) Norl.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Osteospermum cultivar designated            ‘Cape Daisy® Zanzibar® White’.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Osteospermum variety designated 5300A            (Unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Vegetative terminal cuttings.        -   Time and temperature to initiate roots.—About 9 to 13 days            at 19 to 21° C. in tunnels in a greenhouse.        -   Time and temperature to produce a rooted young plant.—About            4 to 5 weeks at 18° (initiation period benefits from 19-21°            C.).        -   Rooting habit.—Vigorous, white and well branched.-   Plant description:    -   -   General appearance and form.—Globular, upright, with basal            branching. Inflorescences in composite heads. Freely            branching with lateral flowering branches forming at every            node.        -   Growth rate.—Growing about 1 cm per week during production            period.        -   Plant height.—About 13 cm to 16 cm.        -   Plant width (spread).—About 18 cm to 21 cm.        -   Crop time to produce a mature flowering plant.—It requires            4-5 weeks to produce a young plant in a 35 mm propagation            plug. After potting 12-14 weeks are required to produce            finished flowering plants in 11 cm pots.-   Stem:    -   -   Shape.—Round.        -   Length.—About 2 cm to 5 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 4 mm to 5 mm.        -   Strength.—Medium strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright to spreading.        -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Color.—Mature: RHS 145B. Immature: RHS 145A.-   Branches:    -   -   Branching habit.—Basal branching with lateral branching.        -   Number of branches per plant.—About 10-15.        -   Length (including flowers).—About 13 cm to 16 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 4-5 mm.        -   Strength.—Medium strong.        -   Apect.—Upright to spreading.        -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Color.—Mature: RHS 145B. Immature: RHS 145A.        -   Internode length.—About 3 mm to 20 mm.        -   Internode color.—RHS 145A.-   Foliage description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Number of leaves per branch.—About 8-12 per branch.        -   Length.—About 4 cm to 8 cm.        -   Width.—About 1.5 mm to 3.5 mm.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—Obovate to spatulate with 1 to 3            acuminate teeth on some of the leaves.        -   Shape at apex.—Obtuse to slightly retuse.        -   Shape at base.—Attenuate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Upper surface: Glabrous, with only a few scattered            short, stiff hairs along on the edges of leaf. Lower            surface: Glabrous.        -   Color of developing foliage.—Upper surface: RHS 137A. Lower            surface: RHS 138A.        -   Color of mature foliage.—Upper surface: RHS 139A. Lower            surface: RHS 137B.        -   Venation pattern.—Trinerved with veins along nerves.        -   Venation color.—Upper surface: RHS 145A. Lower surface: RHS            146C.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Arrangement and shape.—Tubular disc floret and flat,            lanceolate ray florets in composite flower heads, developed            from terminal and axillary shoots. The peduncles lift the            Inflorescences 2-4 cm above the foliage. Inflorescences face            upright to 80° angle from vertical.        -   Natural flowering season.—Osteospermum is a bedding plant,            with a flowering season from early spring to late autumn.            Temperatures below 20° C. will increase flowering,            temperatures above 20° C. will reduce flowering.        -   Time to flower.—65 to 85 days.        -   Inflorescence longevity on the plant.—Inflorescence will            maintain good color and substance for about 5-10 days;            however, the longevity of individual inflorescence is highly            dependent on temperature and light conditions. Inflorescence            persistent.        -   Quantity of inflorescences heads.—Freely flowering; about 40            buds and open inflorescences per plant.        -   Fragrance.—Sweet Honey.        -   Bud (inflorescences head).—Rate of opening (from showing            color to fully open flower): 1 to 5 days. The rate of            opening is highly dependent on temperature and light            conditions. Length: About 10 mm. Diameter: About 8 mm.            Shape: Acuminate. Texture: Pubescent with small hairs.            Color: RHS 144A at base to 139B at apex.        -   Peduncle.—From both terminate and axillary shoots. Length:            About 8 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Angle: About 0-20° from            vertical. Strength: Medium strong. Texture: Pubescent with            few small white hairs. Color: RHS 138A.        -   Inflorescence head.—Length: About 10 mm. Diameter: About 7            cm.        -   Ray florets.—Quantity per Inflorescence head: 20 - 24.            Length: 32 mm. Widths: 8-9 mm. Overall shape: Spatulate.            Shape at apex: Obtuse. Shape at base: Acute. Margin: Entire,            small cleft at apex. Texture: Upper surface: smooth. Lower            surface: smooth, matt slightly furrowed. Color upper side:            Pure white. (as white as the space between the colour            samples on The R.H.S. colour chart). Color underside: RHS            97C with darker stripes RHS 97A and stains of RHS 162C at            the tip.        -   Disc florets.—Quantity per Inflorescence head: 75-85.            Length: 6 mm. Diameter: 1 mm. Color Blue translucent (RHS            97A), white at base.        -   Phyllary.—20-25. Length: 9-11 mm. Width: 1-2 mm. Overall            shape: Lanceolate. Apix: Narrow Acuminate. Base: Fused.            Margin: Entire. Color: RHS 139B.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—Location: Disc florets only. Stamen number: 5            fused. Stamen length: About 2 mm. Anther shape: Linear,            fused. Anther length: About 2 mm. Pollen amount: A lot.            Pollen color: RHS N25C.        -   Gynoecium.—Location: Ray and disc florets. Quantity: 1.            Pistil length: About 5 mm. Stigma shape: Brush-like, cleft            1.5 mm deep. Stigma length: About 2 mm. Stigma color: RHS            103A. Style length: About 2 mm. Style color: RHS 103C. Ovary            color: RHS 144D.-   Seed/fruit: Seed and fruit production has not been observed.-   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common to    Osteospermum has not been observed.-   Disease/pest susceptibility: Susceptibility to pathogens and pests    common to Osteospermum has not been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Osteospermum have exhibited    good tolerance rain, wind and drought; however, flowering may cease    during hot periods (temperatures above 25° C.). Low temperature    tolerance to 1° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Osteospermum plantnamed ‘DAOSFEMTEN’, as illustrated and described herein.